October 06, 2020
God is a God of order. He has planned for His world to reflect this beautiful, peaceful harmony. But when we reject Him, we lose this ability and become lawless. And this lawlessness leads to anarchy and chaos.
IN PAUL’S DAY
… this lawlessness was increasing. He writes the second letter to the Thessalonians to help them understand the times. He reminds them that the final end of the world will be known by the rising of the Anti-Christ, the “man of lawlessness.”
He had not arisen yet, but he did tell them that “the mystery of lawlessness if already at work” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). In other words, the spirit of the Lawless One that would one day come signaling the end of this world was already in the world bringing all kinds of chaos. We now live in this age.
SO HOW DO WE LIVE?
What should be our posture as we live in a lawless age?
We must STAND FIRM
“Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (2:15)
Don't deviate from the foundational biblical truths. Hold fast to them, regardless of the cultural pressure.
We must pray for the RAPID SPREAD AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOSPEL
“Pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you” (3:1)
The only antidote for lawlessness is for men and women, one by one, to surrender to the Lordship of the King. When He is in control, He brings peace and order. We should pray that it would spread and that people would respond by accepting and embracing the gospel. We must be driven by an eternal mindset, understanding that those who do not come into a relationship with Christ will "pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (1:9).
We must pray that we will be RESCUED
“Pray … that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (3:1-3)
We must trust that God will take care of us, even in lawless times, as we entrust our lives to Him. Jesus did what was right while persecuted, uttering no threats, and "entrusted His soul to the faithful Creator."
We must grow in the LOVE OF GOD and STEADFASTNESS
“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ” (3:5)
Many people are “into” certain things. Paul reminds us to be “into” the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. “Steadfast” means to “remain under,” to endure even when persecution abounds and life is difficult, just as Christ endured to the end and brought great results.
We must trust that God will GIVE US PEACE ALWAYS
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” (3:16)
It is in lawless times that those who have surrendered fully to Christ and come into harmony with His kingdom will shine the brightest. They will be the men and women of peace. A calm that is recognizable. The greatest opportunity for the witness of a changed life is now. Don’t merely complain about the lawlessness! Walk with Christ and do your great mission to point men—by word and deed—to the One who brings peace to our lawlessness!
Father, help us rightly interpret the world around us. Every evil we see in our lives and others and in our world stems from our rejection of Your rule over our lives. May we not contribute to this lawlessness. Give us grace to walk in absolute surrender to Your will which is “good, acceptable, and perfect.” Let us show the world the peace of a life in harmony with You.
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